Actuality November, 7, 2007

The international tourist holding Hotelplan has paid up controlling stock interest of “Ascent” Travel operator (Russia). This news became a surprise for tourist industry.
Thus, as it became known from unofficial sources, such an event hasn’t been expected not only by competitors and partners of “Ascent”, but also by a number of company top managers, including Andrei Zabolotnykh, one of its cofounders. It is known also, that it goes not simply about the sale of company controlling stock interest, but practically about all assets.

Meantime, according to data of Maxim Pristavko, commercial manager of “Jet Travel” company, “Hotelplan holding has long ago explored the Russian market”.
According to Mr. Pristavko, “on the one hand a fact with European holding of “Ascent” will strengthen position of this company at the market and will provide it access to the exclusive hotels that can’t please its competitors. On the other hand, Hotelplan is known as a correct player which will not strive to “trample down” the market or dumping. Thus, a deal, quite probably, denotes a positive tendency and possibly will improve general situation in industry”.

To the similar point of view adhere in UTE Megapolus Company. We will remind that the controlling stock interest of this operator has bought another large Swiss tourist holding Kuoni.
“The incoming of large Hotelplan operator to Russia is good news”, is sure Dmitry Fesik, general manager of UTE Megapolus. “I think that this event will positively reflect on all tourist industry.”

Concerning a question about the future competition of two operators, Mr. Fesik adds: “We have been working with “Ascent” in very close market’s segments for a long time and we don’t expect cardinal changes in connection with this acquisition.”
Mr. Fesik notices also, that “it is early yet to talk about the future of “Ascent”, but if to rely upon our experience, it is possible to say that after amalgamation with Kuoni the approach of our company to business did not change.”
Supposition of Mr. Fesik was confirmed by Boris Burykin, general manager of “Ascent Travel”. He marked that his company “will still be working with the chosen partners and will strive to occupy leading positions at the market”. “Our policy will not change”, assured Mr. Burykin.